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The Latin American Cultural Center of Queens is celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month with the 2012 Latin Pride Concert at El Paraiso Tropical in Corona. There will be several performances, as well as concerts from pianist Francisco Cantilo and guitarist Nelson Cuevas. The event is free, but space is limited, so be sure to RSVP at (718) 261-7664 or laccq@aol.com.

Head to the New York Hall of Science in Flushing for the 2012 World Maker Faire. Deemed “the greatest show and tell on Earth,” the event will draw more than 500 maker exhibits celebrating innovations in technology, craft, fashion, art and food. Attractions this year include a life-sized Mouse Trap and a Mentos Show. You can purchase tickets here, which range between $20 and $50.

The weekend comes with plenty of music and seasonal festivities. There’s a brand new musical and outdoor festival in Flushing, an orchestra show in Jamaica, and an autumn fair in Bayside.

Image source: Queens Theatre

Ella: A Swingin New Musical about the First Lady of Song – This musical about the life of the legendary Ella Fitzgerald debuts today at the Queens Theatre in Flushing. Starring Tina Fabrique, a Tony-nominated veteran of Broadway, the play is set in 1966 and focuses on an older Ella looking back at her life and singing all her famous hits. The Queens Theatre will also hold a reception on Friday 9/28 from 6-10pm with dinner, cocktails, and a meet-and-greet with the cast. Tickets cost between $25 and $49; the reception is $85.

Old Hock and Bach – Take part in this very “classical” event at the King Manor as the Queens College Baroque Ensemble performs the music of Johann Sebastian Bach. Accompanying the music will be a variety of German white wines, the modern version of “Old Hock” listed in Rufus King’s 1822 wine cellar inventory. Cocktails are at 6pm, followed by the concert at 6:30pm. Tickets are $25; RSVP here.

National Estuaries Day Festival – This free annual festival at the Alley Pond Environmental Center celebrates the environmental importance of Little Neck Bay, the local estuary. There will be scenic hikes, live music and activities for children, as well as educational booths and exhibits from neighborhood organizations. Head over for games, hands-on demonstrations, as well as boat and canoe rides.

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Autumn Moon Festival – The Queens Botanical Garden is holding this celebration of the traditional Chinese and Vietnamese holiday reflecting on the summer harvest. Bring a picnic blanket and settle in for moon cakes, arts and crafts, and cultural performances.

If by any chance we missed your favorite regular or upcoming event, please let us know!

The Laughing Devil comedy club in Long Island City hosts this comedy showcase featuring “eight of the best comedians in the world” trying out their material for college and university booking agents. Co-owner and comedian Steve Hofstetter is opening some seats to the general public, which means you get to see the next best college comedians – including the surreal and sidesplitting Victor Varnado – before their potential big breaks. Admission includes a food item and a non-alcoholic drink from the menu.

Head over to Raven’s Head Public House tonight for this lively trivia event. Hosted by comedian Jarrod Hornbeck, the show has been drawing enthusiastic crowds since earlier this year, including comedy luminaries like Christian Finnegan. Join Hornbeck for prizes and to sample the classic bar menu (we recommend the nachos especially).

Spend Sunday afternoon with Rejuvenate Face and Body, a popular Astoria spa, and Astoria Park Wine and Spirits, a relatively new wine shop on 24th Avenue. At the shop, there will be a live jazz singer, and plenty of sparkling wines to try. Email info@rejuvenatenyc.com to RSVP for a free mini-makeover, too.

Spend a Saturday evening relaxing outdoors at this film screening at Sunnyside Gardens Park. There is live music at 6:30pm courtesy of Irish band New York Trad, followed by a series of rare and never-before-seen cartoons from the 1930s and 1940s. According to curator and filmmaker Emilie McDonald, the goal is “to cultivate and recognize Sunnyside film and music enthusiasts and locally based filmmakers and musicians.” Food and drinks will be available for purchase.

Celebrate fall with Oktoberfest on Saturday from 1-6pm at the Poppenheusen Institute in College Point. For $15, you’ll gain access to plenty of German-American food and drink, as well as classic apple strudel and black forest cake. Vendors will be offering craft items for sale, while live performers provide music. Be sure to check out the presentations starting at 4pm, discussing the history of Flushing and Queens.

The weekend comes with plenty of dancing and music all over Queens. Head on over for a lunchtime dance party in Long Island City, a huge block party in Elmhurst, a dance festival in Jamaica, and a classical orchestra in Forest Hills.